HORSHAM District Football Netball League is ready to take on the might of Heathcote District Football League at Horsham City Oval on Saturday.
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The two leagues clashed at city oval in 2011, with Heathcote coming away with a 27-point victory.
Horsham District has gone on to win its next two interleague matches.
That game will count for little on Saturday, with both teams sporting vastly different line-ups.
Swift Scott Carey and Kalkee big men Josh Mibus and Tim Wade are likely to be the only players from the 2011 Horsham District league side to take to the field.
The team named is subject to late changes.
One of the its hallmarks is height at the key positions.
Baggie Aaron Chavasse and Mibus will form an imposing tandem as the team’s two key defenders.
Harrow-Balmoral ruckman Mick Phelan has been named at centre-half-forward, with teammate Anthony Close at full-forward.
Laharum coach Shannon Argall will assume rucking duties to start the game and Wade will also start on the ball as ruck-rover.
With an extended bench including the likes of Natimuk United coach Tim Friend and Rupanyup’s James Delahunty, the team will not be lacking big bodies.
Coach Geoff Burdett said the team would be far from top-heavy, with plenty of excellent ground-level players to complement the big guys.
Scott Carey and Laharum young gun Daniel Easson will add some run out of defence.
The centreline is strong with Edenhope-Apsley’s Brent Christie doing the grunt work inside, and Noradjuha-Quantong star Jason Kerr and Natimuk United’s Ash Pekin on the wings.
Small and speedy forward pockets Brent Forsyth and Deek Roberts will be dangerous when the ball hits the ground.
“We’ve got a good mix and all the guys are in good form – if they can carry on that form, it’ll be great,” Burdett said.
“The weather is supposed to be pretty good, so hopefully that’ll play into our hands as well.”
Burdett said the loss of Laharum forward Dylan Parish with a broken collarbone was a blow to the side, but the team could still compete with Heathcote.
“There are a couple of blokes like Steve Schultz and Rhys Bennett who opted not to do it, so along with Dylan they’re the ones you wish could have played,” he said.
“The main thing is we’ve got 23 blokes who want to play and with the team we’ve got we’ll certainly be competitive.”
Burdett stressed the importance of a good interleague performance.
“With the AFL Victoria Country setup, it’s important for us to attract people to our league,” he said.
“If we can do well with our interleague, you only have to see what Mallee has been able to do in the past few years and how it has propelled them up.
“I’m not saying we can get that high straight away, but performances like that certainly help.”
